If the sporting cliche demands that expectations do not extend beyond the next match, then the temptation to look towards the second week of the 2009 US Open in New York and the denouement of what promises to be a thrilling men's tournament is proving irresistible, even to the greatest player of all.

Roger Federer is never less than self-effacing when it comes to assessing his own game, never less than effusive about that of Rafael Nadal, and seldom more than grudging when it comes to that of Andy Murray. There is just something about Murray that appears to get under the skin of the world No1.

Perhaps the Swiss, winner of 15 grand slam titles, is baffled that so much attention is heaped on a player who has yet to win one, or it could have something to do with the fact the Scotsman is one of the few players who hold winning career records (6-3) over the greatest player of the modern era.

Whatever the truth, the ears were certainly pricked when Federer conceded after his second-round victory over the German Simon Greul that those who have picked Murray to win his first major here in New York – a small but select bunch that includes Andre Agassi – may be right.

"I think Andy deserves a few picks because he is playing so well," Federer said when told of Agassi's views. "He is in the best shape of his life right now. He did well last year and he has got one more year of experience. The only thing is he hasn't won a slam yet, but he's still quite young."

Generous words indeed, and they marked quite a contrast with the Australian Open earlier this year, when Federer was openly contemptuous to discover the bookies had installed Murray as the pre-tournament favourite. This time around, however, the bookies have reversed their order of preference. The two players, seeded one and two, are scheduled to meet in next Sunday's final, although each has significant obstacles to overcome if that is to happen.

Murray, in particular, faces a difficult journey, one requiring him to beat the sixth seed, Juan Martín del Potro, at the quarter-final stage and Nadal in the semi-finals. For Federer, there is the prospect of a semi-final meeting with Andy Roddick, whom he only just beat in an epic Wimbledon final earlier in the summer.

More immediately, however, the No1 seed will face a third-round tie against Lleyton Hewitt, the former world No1 and the player he beat in the 2004 final in New York to begin his streak of five successive US Open victories. Since then, the cocky Australian has slipped down the world rankings but he still talks a pugnacious game.

"Not a lot of guys have been able to beat him, especially here. I started his run in 2004. It would be nice if I could finish it," Hewitt said, looking ahead to the match. Nice perhaps, but not very likely. Hewitt has lost 13 consecutive matches to Federer – not that the No1 seed is taking Hewitt for granted. "You have to respect him for the player and the champion that he is. On any given day a former world No1, a guy who has won majors, is very, very dangerous," he said.